Welcome to the Kautilya Society – NUSRL

The Kautilya Society at the National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi, is a pioneering initiative aimed at fostering meaningful engagement between academic research and public policy. Established as part of the university’s collaboration with the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, the society is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical legal studies and their practical applications in governance and policymaking.

A significant milestone in this collaboration was achieved on 16th December 2024, NUSRL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, New Delhi. This partnership aims to advance research and policy initiatives, foster impactful legal research, encourage public policy discourse, and provide students with valuable hands-on exposure to the policymaking process.

The MoU was signed virtually by Prof. (Dr.) Ashok R. Patil, Vice-Chancellor of  NUSRL, and Arghya Sengupta, Founder and Research Director of Vidhi. The event also featured notable attendees, including Dr. Utkarsh Verma and Ms. Soni Bhola, Assistant Professors at NUSRL, and Mahvish Kazmi, Programme Manager of the Kautilya Society at Vidhi. Gaurav Kumar Mandal and Sumit Kumar Singh, student representatives from NUSRL. The occasion saw enthusiastic participation from faculty and students alike.

Primary Objectives:

• Policy Analysis and Recommendations: Conduct research and provide policy recommendations to state and central governments.
• Sensitization and Awareness: Create engaging podcasts and raise public awareness about laws and human rights.
• Policy Discussions and Talks: Host discussions with stakeholders and organize expert-led talks.
• Content Creation: Publish blogs and articles to enrich the discourse on legal and policy matters.
• Legislative Proposals: Propose suggestions for bills and amendments to strengthen the legal framework.
• Workshops and Seminars: Organize workshops and seminars on legal writing, public policy, and governance, aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of professionals, students, and stakeholders.
• Courses on Legal Writing and Public Policy: Offer specialized courses on legal writing, public policy analysis, and legislative drafting.

About Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy

The Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy is an independent think tank established in 2013, dedicated to advancing legal frameworks and governance in India through rigorous, research-driven legal analysis and policy advice. By bridging the gap between academic research, legislative frameworks, and practical governance. Vidhi works closely with central and state governments to provide expert support in drafting and reforming laws, addressing pressing legal challenges, and promoting policy innovations. Vidhi has played a crucial role in formulating landmark legislations, repealing outdated laws, and advocating for necessary reforms across sectors such as corporate law, technology, health, education, and fundamental rights.

In line with its mission, Vidhi spearheads the Kautilya Society initiative, aimed at empowering students to explore public policy and legislative drafting as career paths. Established in 2019 at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, the Kautilya Society is now active in 8 law schools across the country. The student-led societies conduct research to identify gaps in law, policy, and governance, contributing to public policy discourse through research reports, parliamentary submissions, and events. These societies offer students valuable exposure to lawmaking, governance, and policy analysis, thereby contributing to India’s socio-economic progress.

Vidhi’s Kautilya Society initiative provides students with opportunities to develop careers in public policy, development, advocacy, consultancy, campaigning, financial analysis, economics, and research, helping shape informed and engaged citizens who contribute positively to society.

Nodal Team